Page 544 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

522 INTERNATIONAL SERVICE APPLICATIONS

■ Monitoring your recycling progress throughout the year
■ Keeping the program alive

The success of any office recycling program depends on the support and coopera-
tion from every employee, from the highest levels of management to the employees
who carry out the actual collection procedures. In addition, effective relationship man-
agement with recycling vendors is critical. Below is a short list of vendor requirements
for office paper recycling programs:

■ Reliability of service in terms of on-time pickups, accurate tonnage reimbursements
and monthly reporting, and timely reimbursements
■ Ability to handle documents in accordance with security guidelines
■ Willingness to pick up all kinds of papers including high grade, mixed grade, file
stock, and corrugated
■ Maximum prices offered for mixed grades and file stock which comprise most of
recyclable tonnage

Monitoring recycling program performance is an important step to ensure the long-
term success of the program. Below is a list of activities that may be applied to accom-
plish this goal:

■ Keep accurate and up-to-date statistics:
■ Include tonnage figures
■ Include dollars received from recycling vendor
■ Include estimated cost-avoidance figures
■ Periodically inspect office areas to determine if employees are properly disposing
of recyclable materials.
■ Periodically arrange to have outside garbage unit analyzed by following unit to
transfer station to weigh contents and observe contents of unit:
■ Determine what percent of contents consists of recyclable materials
■ Determine if container is being pulled prematurely
■ Post recycling statistics in your building so that employees can see your progress.
■ Publish updated statistics and articles in company bulletins and newsletters.
■ Display recycling posters throughout the year.

42.5 Case Study

In 2008 the Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom undertook a large-scale sustain-
able development at one of the largest and most complicated building sites in Europe.
BAA, the owner of seven airports in the United Kingdom, completed a major
construction project, the biggest single construction project in Europe, at Terminal 5
at Heathrow. At a cost of over £4 billion, the project represents a huge program of con-
struction works. Using traditional materials and construction techniques can have a